Jamuna erosion worsens as dyke damaged in Sirajganj
The overflowing Jamuna has flooded its protection embankment at Baligugri point of Sirajganj Sadar upazila, further worsening the erosion by the river that devoured hundreds of homesteads and large areas of farmland in Sirajganj Sadar and Kazipur upazilas in last couple of weeks.
“The river has swelled up and damaged a 50-metre area of the protection embankment here. Many of the CC blocks have been washed away due to the pressure of water from Saturday night,” said Md Abdus Sattar, a resident of Baligugri village.
The damage has increased threat of massive erosion in the area but the Water Development Board (WDB) has not taken required steps, locals said.
Refuting the allegation, Executive Engineer of Sirajganj WDB Sayed Hasan Imam said, "Rise of water level in the river caused a little flooding of the embankment but there is nothing to be worried. WDB workers have already started earth filling to repair the slight damage."
Meanwhile, Charbahuka point in Ratankandi union of Sirajganj Sadar upazila also sees erosion for the last couple of weeks.
"The Jamuna has devoured over 300 homesteads and hundreds of acres of cropland at Charbahuka of the upazila in last couple of weeks. The river has reached near this primary school, the lone one at the village,” said Md Nizam Uddin, headmaster of Charbahuka Government Primary School.
Although the river erosion continues in Charbahuka point, the WDB is yet to start protection work there, said several villagers including Momota Khatun, Abul Kalam Azad, and Jamila Khatun.
WDB Executive Engineer Sayed Hasan Imam said they have taken necessary steps in the affected areas and the WDB workers have started felling GO bags there.
"With increase of the river water, erosion started in different areas of Sirajganj district. The most vulnerable areas are in Sirajganj Sadar, Shahzadpur and Kazipur upazilas,” he said.
Comments